Government Issues

Calif. high-speed rail project dealt another blow

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In another setback to the California high-speed rail project, federal regulators rejected the state's request to exempt a large Central Valley segment of proposed track from a lengthy planning review, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The action affects part of a 29-mile rail section to be built near Fresno, where state officials have already awarded a construction contract. The decision is likely to complicate, delay and substantially drive up the cost on that initial $1-billion package of work. For the full story, click here.

As lawmakers try to fund transportation beyond May 31, GROW AMERICA provides members of the House and Senate with the option of increasing investment in surface transportation by 45%, and supporting millions of jobs repairing and modernizing roads, bridges, railroads and transit systems in urban, suburban and rural communities.

The study found that lower-wage workers often endure the most brutal commutes, and the findings suggest a need for workplace policies that help to balance work and family life, in addition to better investment in our mass transit system.

The conference agenda is currently being developed by a team of industry experts and will cover five key areas: community outreach and education; enforcement; design, technology and infrastructure; intentional acts/deaths; and pedestrian safety.

Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL), member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies, led a bipartisan letter to the THUD Subcommittee with 10 members of the Illinois House delegation urging full funding for mass transit and passenger rail in next year’s THUD budget.

The proposed cuts represent a 45% decrease in CTA state funding or a $130 million cut; a 60% decrease in Metra state funding or a $20.8 million cut; a 41% decrease in Pace state funding or a $10 million cut; and a 15% decrease in ADA paratransit state funding or $8.5 million cut.